Fred H. Rees, 66, of Ashfield passed away at home on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Fred worked as a Development Consultant for more than 25 years on capital campaigns, many of them with his father, including several local projects such as the Bridge of Flowers Restoration Project in Shelburne Falls, MA, and the Greenfield Community College Downtown Center. He worked on many other consultations locally, as well as pro bono work, including for the Ashfield Community Preschool, the Ashfield Town Hall Steeple Restoration Project, the Mary Lyons Education Foundation, and the Franklin County Survival Center. More recently, Fred worked as a Town Coordinator for the Town of Colrain and as a Business Consultant for a local craftsman, prior to retirement. Born in New York City on October 21, 1951 he was the son of the late Judson M. Rees and is survived by his mother Helen L. Rees of Goshen, CT. He resided in Ashfield most of his life. He graduated from high school in Granville, NY, and attended the theater department at Castleton State College. Fred was an accomplished musician, carpenter, and woodworker. He was an avid historian with a special interest in military history. Fred was very proud of his family and the house he built in his beloved town of Ashfield. He loved his family pets and enjoyed camping, gardening, and kayaking. He served as a Cub Scout den leader and assistant little league baseball coach. Besides his father, he was predeceased by his sister Kathy Rees. He is survived by his wife Susan B. Ashe and a son Benjamin A. Rees of Ashfield; a son Ethan A. Rees and his wife Madeleine Chiappini of Beverly, MA; a sister Ellen Rees and her husband David Olds of New York City; a sister Patricia Steier of Goshen, CT; four nieces; and cat Mini. The family will be having a celebration of life for close family and friends in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls (contact info).
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